Digital decoupling

ABSTRACT

This document described digital decoupling architectures that enable existing computing systems to run in parallel with new computing technologies. In some aspects, a method includes receiving, by a digital decoupling system and from a source computing system, one or more updated data sets that each include data that has been updated at the source computing system. A source data entry of a source table of a database of the digital decoupling system is updated based on each updated data set. In response to detecting the change to the source table, a target data entry that includes data of the updated source data entry is added to a target table of the database. An adapter module obtains the data of the target data entry and generates an event that specifies the data of the target data entry. The event is sent to one or more destination computing elements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/887,096, filed Aug. 15, 2019, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

This specification relates to digital decoupling techniques that enableexisting computing systems to run in parallel with new computingtechnologies.

Computing technology continues to improve at a very rapid pace. To someextent, organizations can adapt and upgrade their systems over time tomake them compatible with the newer technology. However, there comes apoint where the existing systems are either unable to support the newertechnology or become so inferior that a major upgrade is required. Acomplete migration to a new system can be expensive and time consuming.

SUMMARY

This specification generally describes a digital decoupling architecturethat enables existing computing systems to run in parallel with newcomputing technologies.

In general, one innovative aspect of the subject matter described inthis specification can be embodied in methods that include the actionsof receiving, by a digital decoupling system and from a dataprovisioning agent installed on a source computing system, one or moreupdated data sets that each include data that has been updated at thesource computing system. For each updated data set, a source data entryof a source table of a database of the digital decoupling system isupdated based on the data of the updated data set. A database trigger ofthe digital decoupling system detects a change to the source data tablein response to the update to the source data entry. In response todetecting the change to the source table, a target data entry thatincludes data of the updated source data entry is added to a targettable of the database. An adapter module of the digital decouplingsystem obtains, from the target table, the data of the target dataentry. The adapter module generates an event that specifies at least aportion of the data of the target data entry. The event is sent to oneor more destination computing elements different from the sourcecomputing system. Other embodiments of this aspect include correspondingcomputer systems, apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one ormore computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions ofthe methods. A system of one or more computers can be configured toperform particular operations or actions by virtue of having software,firmware, hardware, or a combination of them installed on the systemthat in operation causes or cause the system to perform the actions. Oneor more computer programs can be configured to perform particularoperations or actions by virtue of including instructions that, whenexecuted by data processing apparatus, cause the apparatus to performthe actions.

The foregoing and other embodiments can each optionally include one ormore of the following features, alone or in combination. In someaspects, updating the source data entry includes one of (i) adding thesource data entry to the source table, wherein the source data entryincludes the data of the updated data set or (ii) modifying the sourcedata entry based on the data of the updated data set.

In some aspects, the database trigger initiates the event in response todetecting the addition of the source data entry to the source table.Some implementations can include removing, from the target table and bythe adapter module, the data of the updated data set after the event issent to the one or more destination computing elements.

In some aspects, sending the event to one or more destination computingelements includes sending the event to a cloud platform. Some aspectsinclude configuring the data provisioning agent to detect changes to adatabase of the source computing system and to push a respective updateddata set to the digital decoupling system in response to each detectedchange.

Some aspects include determining, by the adapter module and based on thedata of the updated data set, a type of the event and including, in theevent, data specifying the type of the event. In some implementations,the source computing system includes a SAP ECC platform and thedestination computing element comprises a SAP HANA platform. The sourcetables and the target tables can include SAP HANA database tables.

The subject matter described in this specification can be implemented inparticular embodiments and may result in one or more of the followingadvantages. The digital decoupling systems described in this documentenable existing computing systems and new computing systems to operatein parallel using the same data. This allows newer technologies toconsume the data of the existing computing system prior to a completemigration from the existing computing system. This also enables the useof newer software platforms with older platforms, without waiting for anentire migration that can take years to complete. Thus, newertechnologies can be built on top of existing systems to enable quickeruse of newer technologies.

The digital decoupling system can be configured to receive pushedupdated data from the existing computing system and can convert theupdated data to events that can be consumed by multiple differentcomputing elements, e.g., multiple cloud applications, microservices,cloud platforms, user interfaces, etc. In this way, many differentcustom interfaces to the databases of the existing computing system donot have to be developed for the various computing systems. Instead,each consumer of the existing computing system's data can receive copiesof the same event that specifies the updated data. This results in lesscomplexity, fewer interfaces, and less bandwidth consumed to send datato each computing system.

The digital decoupling system can include a data management system,e.g., a SAP HANA system, that is configured to produce the events basedon the updates to the existing computing system and that will later beused at the data management system of the new computing system to whichthe existing computing system is migrated. This enables newertechnologies, e.g., new applications, to be built on the data managementsystem during the migration and continue to be used after the migrationis completed.

The details of one or more implementations of the subject matterdescribed in this specification are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, andadvantages of the subject matter will become apparent from thedescription, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an example of an environment in which a digital decouplingsystem generates events based on updated data received from a sourcecomputing system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example decoupling pipeline.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an example process for generating eventsbased on updated data received from a source computing system.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a computing system that can be used inconnection with computer-implemented methods described in this document.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicatelike elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This specification generally describes a digital decoupling architecturethat enables existing computing systems to run in parallel with newcomputing technologies. An existing computing system can receive,generate, and process data in a normal manner. A data provisioning agentcan be deployed on the existing computing system and can be configuredto send new and modified data from the existing computing system to adigital decoupling system.

The digital decoupling system can be configured to receive the new ormodified data from the existing computing system and convert the datainto events consumable by applications and/or other computing systems,e.g., cloud-based applications and/or micro-services. In this way, newcomputing systems and applications that may be incompatible with theexisting computing system and otherwise unable to interact with theexisting computer system can operate in parallel with the existingcomputing system until a full migration from the existing computingsystem to a new computing system, e.g., a cloud-based computing systemcan be implemented.

FIG. 1 is an example of an environment 100 in which a digital decouplingsystem 120 generates events based on updated data received from a sourcecomputing system 110. The source computing system 110 can be an existingcomputing system that includes custom applications and/or custombusiness logic that perform functions using data stored by a sourcedatabase system 112, which is also referred to as a database forbrevity. For example, the source computing system 110 can be anenterprise computing system of an organization and the source database112 can be an enterprise database system.

In a particular example, the source computing system 110 can be a set ofnetwork computers that run an on-premises enterprise resource planning(ERP) system, such as SAP′ ERP Central Component (SAP ECC). In thisexample, the source database 112 can be a SAP′ database system. A SAP′ECC system can be migrated, for example, over to an SAP HANA™ platform.Such a migration can take a long period of time for large computingsystems, e.g., enterprise systems of large corporations or other largeorganizations. Digital decoupling system 120 can enable the sourcecomputing system 110 to continue performing its processes and one ormore destination computing elements 150 to perform processes using thesame (or similar) data. The digital decoupling system 120 can bedifferent from the source computing system 110, e.g., the two computingsystems can be connected via a network.

The source database 112 can store data that is used and generated byvarious applications of the source computing system 110. For example,the source database 112 can store all or a large portion of the masterdata of an organization. To enable access to at least some of the datain the source database 112, a data provisioning agent 114 can bedeployed on the source computing system 110, e.g., within the sourcedatabase 112.

The data provisioning agent 114 can be configured, e.g., by a user, topush data of the source database 112 to the digital decoupling system120. The data provisioning agent 114 can be configured to push updatesto designated data to a corresponding data provisioning server 122 ofthe digital decoupling system 120. In other words, the data provisioningagent 114 can be configured to propagate changes to certain data in thesource database 112 to the digital decoupling system 120

A user can designate the data for which updates are sent to the digitaldecoupling system 120 using a set of propagation criteria. Thepropagation criteria can include particular tables within the database120, particular fields within a table, particular rows or columns of atable, particular types of data, and/or other appropriate criteria. Thedata provisioning agent 114 can use the propagation criteria todetermine what data to send to the digital decoupling system 120.

The data provisioning agent 114 can monitor the source database 112 forchanges to data that meet the propagation criteria. The dataprovisioning agent 114 can monitor for new data added to the sourcedatabase 112, modifications to data already stored in the sourcedatabase 112, and/or deletions of data previously stored in the sourcedatabase 112. When the data provisioning agent 114 detects a change todata that meets the propagation criteria, the data provisioning agent114 can send an updated data set 116 to the data provisioning server122. The updated data set 116 can include the data that has been updatedin the source database 112 and that meets the propagation criteria.

For example, assume that the source database 112 includes data aboutbooks in a library. The propagation criteria may specify that when acheckout status of a book is changed, the data provisioning agent 114 isto send an identifier for the book, e.g., the title of the book or anInternational Standard Book Number (ISBN) for the book, and the checkoutstatus of the book to the digital decoupling system 120. In thisexample, when the source database 112 is updated to indicate that aparticular book has been checked out, the data provisioning agent 114can detect the change to the checkout status of the book and generate anupdated data set 116 that includes the title of the checked out book andthe checkout status of the book. If the copyright data for the book ischanged in this example, the data provisioning agent 114 would not sendthe updated copyright date as this date does not meet the propagationcriteria.

In some implementations, the data provisioning agent 114 can use anadapter to monitor changes in the source database 112. Inimplementations in which the source computing system 110 is a SAP ECCsystem, the adapter can be an OracleECC adapter.

The data provisioning server 122 can receive the updated data sets 116and update a decoupling database 124 of the digital decoupling system124 based on the updated data sets 116. The decoupling database 124 canbe a database system that stores data for use by the destinationcomputing elements 150. In some implementations, the decoupling databasecan also be a database system that will later be used as the core datasystem for a computing system to which the source computing system 110is migrating. In other words, the decoupling database 124 may eventuallybe the master database that replaces the database 112. In otherimplementations, the decoupling database 124 may only be used until thenew computing system is in place for the organization.

In some implementations, the decoupling database 124 is an in-memoryrelational database management system that stores data on an item level.For example, the decoupling database 124 can be a SAP HANA′ in-memory,column-oriented, relational database management system. The use of itemlevel storage prevents the loss of information due to informationaggregation, which can be important for other operations that use thedata. Item level storage also enables the implementation of additionallogic before generating events based on the data. For example, theadditional logic can provide for mappings, conversions, and/or analyticsusing the data. Item level storage can also help in connectingcloud-based services and other services that are limited in terms ofintegration capabilities where it might be needed to pre-build logicthat cannot be implemented by the services.

The decoupling database 124 includes one or more source tables 132, adatabase trigger module 134, and one or more target tables 136. When anupdated data set 116 is received from the data provisioning agent 114,the data provisioning server 122 can update a source data entry of thesource tables 132 based on the updated data set 116. In someimplementations, the source table 132 tracks changes to the data storedin the source database 112 that meet the propagation criteria. In thisway, the data that meets the propagation criteria is the same in thesource tables 132 and the source database 112. In implementations inwhich the decoupling database 124 is a SAP HANA′ in-memory database, thesource tables 132 and the target tables 136 can be virtual, in-memorytables.

For example, if the updated data set 116 includes new data that was notpreviously stored in the source database 112, the data provisioningserver 122 can add a source data entry, e.g., row or column, to thesource table 132. This source data entry can include the new data addedto the source database 112. If the updated data set 116 includesmodified data, the data provisioning server 122 can modify an existingsource data entry in the source tables 132 based on the updated data set116. If the updated data set 116 specifies that data was deleted fromthe source database 112, the data provisioning server 122 can delete thesource data entry corresponding to the deleted data from the sourcetables 132.

The database trigger module 134 can be a software module that isconfigured to monitor for and detect changes in the source tables 132,and update the target tables 136 based on the detected changes in thesource tables 132. For example, the database trigger module 134 can beconfigured to monitor for any change, e.g., new data, modified data, ordeleted data, to the source tables 132. In response to detecting achange, the database trigger module 134 can add a target data entry tothe target tables 136.

The target data entry can include data of the source data entry that waschanged. For example, the target data entry can match the updated sourcedata entry. Continuing the previous library book example, assume thatthe source data entry is a row in the source tables 132 that includesdata about a book in a library. If the data for the book is updated inthe source database 112 and that updated data is propagated to thesource tables 132, the database trigger 134 can add, as a row in thetarget tables 136, a target data entry that includes the same data asthe updated row in the source tables 132.

The source tables 132 and the target tables 136 can have the samestructure, e.g., the same row and column configuration. In this way, thedatabase trigger 134 can simply copy an updated row from the sourcetables 132 to the target tables 136.

Unlike the source tables 132, the target tables 136 may only store datauntil the data is sent to the destination computing elements 150. Inthis way, the source tables 136 can match the relevant data in thesource database 132 while the target tables 136 are used to generateevents for consumption by the destination computing elements 150. Usingtwo different tables can provide technical advantages for the describeddigital decoupling techniques. For example, the use of different tablesfacilitates keeping the tables 132 and 136 clean (e.g., without storingunnecessary data) and reduces the size of the tables 132 and 136 by onlystoring data as long as the data may be needed. This prevents thedecoupling database 124 from being overloaded. The use of two tablesenables the decoupling database 124 to apply logic to the data whiletransferring the data from one table to the other, providing additionalflexibility.

The digital decoupling system 120 also includes an adapter module 126.The adapter module 126 can be a software module that is configured todetect when data is added to the target tables 136 and generate eventsbased on the data. For example, the adapter module 126 can monitor forthe addition of data, e.g., new target data entries, in the targettables 136.

When a target data entry is added to the target tables, the adaptermodule 126 can generate an event 142 for the target data entry. Theevent 142 can include event data that is based on the data of the targetdata entry. The adapter module 126 can generate an event 142 byconfiguring the data of the target data entry into the format of theevents. For example, the computing systems 150 may be configured toreceive events having a particular format, e.g., a particular set offields that each include particular types of data. The adapter module126 can take the data of the target data entry and place each piece ofdata into the proper field of an event 142. The adapter module 126 canthen send the event 142 to the destination computing elements 150.

The destination computing elements 150 can include cloud computingplatforms, cloud applications, on-premise applications running onon-premise computers connected to the digital decoupling system, cloudmicroservices, user interfaces of computers, etc. Each destinationcomputing elements 150 can be configured to listen for events sent bythe adapter module 126. For example, each destination computing element150 can subscribe to messages that include the events 142.

In some implementations, each destination computing element 150 cansubscribe to particular types of events (e.g., fewer than all events),or to all events send by the adapter module 126. In this example, theadapter module 126 can specify, for each event, the type of the event inthe event data of the event. The type of event can be based on the typeof data change, add, modify, or delete, or the type of data that wasupdated, e.g., title of book change, checkout status change, etc.

In some implementations, the adapter module 126 streams the events to adata streaming platform. For example, the adapter module 126 can streamthe events to an Apache Kafka™ data streaming platform. In anotherexample, the adapter module 126 can be deployed in the Apache Kafka™data streaming platform. For example, the adapter module 126 can includecustom code for monitoring the target tables and converting the data inthe target tables 136 into events that are streamed by the Apache Kafka™data streaming platform. The data streaming platform can stream theevents to the destination computing elements 150.

Using the digital decoupling system 120, each destination computingelement 150 can receive relevant data from the existing computing system110. In some implementations, the digital decoupling system 120 canprovide the data in real time or near real time, e.g., within a coupleof seconds after the data is updated in the source database 112. Forexample, the data provisioning agent 114, the database trigger 134, andthe adapter module 126 can all be configured to continuously monitor fortheir respective data and response immediately (or within a short timeperiod) in response to detecting a change in the data. In this way, froma technical perspective, it is as if the destination computing elements150 are directly connected to the source database 112.

In addition, the digital decoupling system 120 eliminates the need for acustom interface to be created for each destination computing element150. Without the digital decoupling system 120, each destinationcomputing element 150 that wants access to the data of the sourcedatabase 112 would need a custom interface to the source database 112.The digital decoupling system 120 creates a less complex system and moreefficient system in which each destination computing element 150 canreceive updated data from the source database 112 from the same events142, which also reduces that amount of data that has to be transmittedfrom the source database 112.

In some implementations, the digital decoupling system 120 can providetwo-way communication between the source database 112 and thedestination computing elements 150. For example, if an application wantsto provide confirmation or other data to the source database 112, theapplication can provide the data to the digital decoupling system 120.In turn, the digital decoupling system 120 can configure the data forthe source database 112 and provide the configured data to the sourcedatabase 112. If the source database 112 is a SAP′ database, the digitaldecoupling system 120 can provide the data to the application layer ofthe SAP′ database.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example decoupling pipeline200. The decoupling pipeline 200 includes an existing computing system210 that has existing logic 214 that performs operations based on inputdata 212 and a data master 216, which can be a database system thatstores the master data for the existing computing system 210. Theexisting computing system 210 can also include an applicationprogramming interface API 218.

When data of the data master 216 is updated, the data can be replicatedas replication events 230. The replication events 230 can include theupdated data, which can be stored in source tables and/or target tables,as described above with reference to FIG. 1. An event handler 232, e.g.,an adapter module, can convert the replication events 230 into businessevents 240 for consumption by other computing elements, e.g., a newapplication 250, a new microservice 260, or a user interface pushapplication 270. The data of the business events can also be stored in adata storage unit 242, which can be long term storage such as harddrives, flash memory, cloud storage, data lake, etc.

The new application 250 and the new microservice 260 can each includelocal data 252 and 262, respectively. The local data is data generatedand/or stored locally by the new application 250 or the new microservice260. The new application 250 includes an API 254 and the newmicroservice 260 includes an API 264. The APIs 218, 254, and 264 enablethe existing computing system 210, the new application 250, and the newmicroservice 260, respectively, to receive pushed data 280 from the userinterface push application 270. The APIs 218, 254, and 264 are optionaland can facilitate the implementation of digital decouplingarchitectures. Implementing the APIs 218, 254, and 264 can furtherdecouple the different components in the architecture and can add moremonitoring capabilities to manage the architecture in the long run.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an example process 300 for generating eventsbased on updated data received from a source computing system. Theprocess 300 can be implemented by the digital decoupling system 120.Operations of the process 300 can also be implemented as instructionsstored on non-transitory computer readable media, and execution of theinstructions by one or more data processing apparatus can cause the oneor more data processing apparatus to perform the operations of theprocess 300.

One or more updated data sets are received (302). The updated data setscan be received by a data provisioning server of the digital decouplingsystem. A data provisioning agent deployed on a source computing systemcan send the updated data sets to the data provisioning server inresponse to updates to data stored by the source computing system. Eachupdated data set can include updated data that has been updated at thesource computing system. For example, the data provisioning agent canpush the updated data sets to the digital decoupling system in responseto detecting the update to the data.

A source table is updated based on the updated data set (304). The dataprovisioning server can update a source data entry of the source tablebased on the data of the updated data set. For example, if the updateddata set specifies new data that was added to the existing computingsystem, the data provisioning server can add a new source data entry tothe source table. This source data entry can include the data of theupdated data set.

A target data entry is added to a target table (306). As describedabove, a database trigger module can be configured to detect changes tothe source table and add target data entries to the target table inresponse to the addition. The target data entry can include the data ofthe source data entry.

An adapter module obtains data of the target data entry (308). Forexample, the adapter module can monitor the target table for any newaddition to the target table. In response to detecting a new target dataentry in the target table, the adapter module can obtain the data of thenew target data entry.

The adapter module generates an event that specifies at least a portionof the data of the target data entry (310). The adapter module cangenerate event data for the event based on a particular format for theevent data. The particular format can be based on the format of a datastreaming platform that streams events or a format of destinationcomputing elements that will receive and consume the event data.

The adapter module sends the event to one or more destination computingelements (312). The adapter module can send the event to the destinationcomputing elements by streaming the event to a data streaming platform.The destination computing elements can include applications,microservices, cloud computing platforms, etc., as described above.

Embodiments of the subject matter and the functional operationsdescribed in this specification can be implemented in digital electroniccircuitry, in tangibly-embodied computer software or firmware, incomputer hardware, including the structures disclosed in thisspecification and their structural equivalents, or in combinations ofone or more of them. Embodiments of the subject matter described in thisspecification can be implemented as one or more computer programs, i.e.,one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on atangible non-transitory program carrier for execution by, or to controlthe operation of, data processing apparatus. Alternatively or inaddition, the program instructions can be encoded on anartificially-generated propagated signal, e.g., a machine-generatedelectrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal, that is generated toencode information for transmission to suitable receiver apparatus forexecution by a data processing apparatus. The computer storage mediumcan be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storagesubstrate, a random or serial access memory device, or a combination ofone or more of them.

The term “data processing apparatus” refers to data processing hardwareand encompasses all kinds of apparatus, devices, and machines forprocessing data, including by way of example a programmable processor, acomputer, or multiple processors or computers. The apparatus can also beor further include special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (fieldprogrammable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integratedcircuit). The apparatus can optionally include, in addition to hardware,code that creates an execution environment for computer programs, e.g.,code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a databasemanagement system, an operating system, or a combination of one or moreof them.

A computer program, which may also be referred to or described as aprogram, software, a software application, a module, a software module,a script, or code, can be written in any form of programming language,including compiled or interpreted languages, or declarative orprocedural languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as astand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unitsuitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program may, butneed not, correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be storedin a portion of a file that holds other programs or data, e.g., one ormore scripts stored in a markup language document, in a single filededicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files,e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub-programs, or portions ofcode. A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computeror on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributedacross multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

The processes and logic flows described in this specification can beperformed by one or more programmable computers executing one or morecomputer programs to perform functions by operating on input data andgenerating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performedby, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logiccircuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC(application-specific integrated circuit).

Computers suitable for the execution of a computer program include, byway of example, general or special purpose microprocessors or both, orany other kind of central processing unit. Generally, a centralprocessing unit will receive instructions and data from a read-onlymemory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of acomputer are a central processing unit for performing or executinginstructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions anddata. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupledto receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more massstorage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks,or optical disks. However, a computer need not have such devices.Moreover, a computer can be embedded in another device, e.g., a mobiletelephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile audio or videoplayer, a game console, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, or aportable storage device, e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive,to name just a few.

Computer-readable media suitable for storing computer programinstructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, mediaand memory devices, including by way of example semiconductor memorydevices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks,e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; andCD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory can besupplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

To provide for interaction with a user, embodiments of the subjectmatter described in this specification can be implemented on a computerhaving a display device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquidcrystal display) monitor, for displaying information to the user and akeyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by whichthe user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices canbe used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example,feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g.,visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input fromthe user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, ortactile input. In addition, a computer can interact with a user bysending documents to and receiving documents from a device that is usedby the user; for example, by sending web pages to a web browser on auser's device in response to requests received from the web browser.

Embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification can beimplemented in a computing system that includes a back-end component,e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, e.g.,an application server, or that includes a front-end component, e.g., aclient computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browserthrough which a user can interact with an implementation of the subjectmatter described in this specification, or any combination of one ormore such back-end, middleware, or front-end components. The componentsof the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digitaldata communication, e.g., a communication network. Examples ofcommunication networks include a local area network (LAN) and a widearea network (WAN), e.g., the Internet.

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client andserver are generally remote from each other and typically interactthrough a communication network. The relationship of client and serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other. In someembodiments, a server transmits data, e.g., an HTML page, to a userdevice, e.g., for purposes of displaying data to and receiving userinput from a user interacting with the user device, which acts as aclient. Data generated at the user device, e.g., a result of the userinteraction, can be received from the user device at the server.

An example of one such type of computer is shown in FIG. 4, which showsa schematic diagram of a generic computer system 400. The system 400 canbe used for the operations described in association with any of thecomputer-implemented methods described previously, according to oneimplementation. The system 400 includes a processor 410, a memory 420, astorage device 430, and an input/output device 440. Each of thecomponents 410, 420, 430, and 440 are interconnected using a system bus450. The processor 410 is capable of processing instructions forexecution within the system 400. In one implementation, the processor410 is a single-threaded processor. In another implementation, theprocessor 410 is a multi-threaded processor. The processor 410 iscapable of processing instructions stored in the memory 420 or on thestorage device 430 to display graphical information for a user interfaceon the input/output device 440.

The memory 420 stores information within the system 400. In oneimplementation, the memory 420 is a computer-readable medium. In oneimplementation, the memory 420 is a volatile memory unit. In anotherimplementation, the memory 420 is a non-volatile memory unit.

The storage device 430 is capable of providing mass storage for thesystem 400. In one implementation, the storage device 430 is acomputer-readable medium. In various different implementations, thestorage device 430 may be a floppy disk device, a hard disk device, anoptical disk device, or a tape device.

The input/output device 440 provides input/output operations for thesystem 400. In one implementation, the input/output device 440 includesa keyboard and/or pointing device. In another implementation, theinput/output device 440 includes a display unit for displaying graphicaluser interfaces.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details,these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of what may beclaimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific toparticular embodiments. Certain features that are described in thisspecification in the context of separate embodiments can also beimplemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures that are described in the context of a single embodiment canalso be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in anysuitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be describedabove as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed assuch, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some casesbe excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may bedirected to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, orthat all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableresults. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processingmay be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system modulesand components in the embodiments described above should not beunderstood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and itshould be understood that the described program components and systemscan generally be integrated together in a single software product orpackaged into multiple software products.

Particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Otherembodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example,the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different orderand still achieve desirable results. As one example, the processesdepicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require theparticular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirableresults. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may beadvantageous.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method comprising:receiving, by a digital decoupling system and from a data provisioningagent installed on a source computing system, one or more updated datasets that each include data that has been updated at the sourcecomputing system; for each updated data set: updating a source dataentry of a source table of a database of the digital decoupling system,to include the data of the updated data set; detecting, by a databasetrigger of the digital decoupling system, a change to the source datatable in response to the update to the source data entry; in response todetecting the change to the source table, adding, to a target table ofthe database, a target data entry that includes the data of the updatedsource data entry; obtaining, by an adapter module of the digitaldecoupling system and from the target table, the data of the target dataentry; generating, by the adapter module, an event that specifies atleast a portion of the data of the target data entry; sending the eventto one or more destination computing elements different from the sourcecomputing system; and in response to generating and sending the event,removing the target data entry from the target table.
 2. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein updating the source dataentry comprises one of (i) adding the source data entry to the sourcetable, wherein the source data entry includes the data of the updateddata set or (ii) modifying the source data entry based on the data ofthe updated data set.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,wherein the database trigger initiates the event in response todetecting the addition of the source data entry to the source table. 4.(canceled)
 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, whereinsending the event to one or more destination computing elementscomprises sending the event to a cloud platform.
 6. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising configuringthe data provisioning agent to detect changes to a database of thesource computing system and to push a respective updated data set to thedigital decoupling system in response to each detected change.
 7. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: determining,by the adapter module and based on the data of the updated data set, atype of the event; and including, in the event, data specifying the typeof the event.
 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein thesource computing system comprises a SAP ECC platform and the destinationcomputing element comprises a SAP HANA platform.
 9. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein: sending the event toone or more destination computing elements comprises sending the eventto a cloud platform; the source computing system comprises a SAP ECCplatform and the destination computing element comprises a SAP HANAplatform; and the source tables and the target tables comprise SAP HANAdatabase tables.
 10. A computer-implemented system, comprising: one ormore computers; and one or more computer memory devices interoperablycoupled with the one or more computers and having tangible,non-transitory, machine-readable media storing one or more instructionsthat, when executed by the one or more computers, perform operationscomprising: receiving, by a digital decoupling system and from a dataprovisioning agent installed on a source computing system, one or moreupdated data sets that each include data that has been updated at thesource computing system; for each updated data set: updating a sourcedata entry of a source table of a database of the digital decouplingsystem, to include the data of the updated data set; detecting, by adatabase trigger of the digital decoupling system, a change to thesource data table in response to the update to the source data entry; inresponse to detecting the change to the source table, adding, to atarget table of the database, a target data entry that includes the dataof the updated source data entry; obtaining, by an adapter module of thedigital decoupling system and from the target table, the data of thetarget data entry; generating, by the adapter module, an event thatspecifies at least a portion of the data of the target data entry;sending the event to one or more destination computing elementsdifferent from the source computing system; and in response togenerating and sending the event, removing the target data entry fromthe target table.
 11. The computer-implemented system of claim 10,wherein updating the source data entry comprises one of (i) adding thesource data entry to the source table, wherein the source data entryincludes the data of the updated data set or (ii) modifying the sourcedata entry based on the data of the updated data set.
 12. Thecomputer-implemented system of claim 10, wherein the database triggerinitiates the event in response to detecting the addition of the sourcedata entry to the source table.
 13. (canceled)
 14. Thecomputer-implemented system of claim 10, wherein sending the event toone or more destination computing elements comprises sending the eventto a cloud platform.
 15. The computer-implemented system of claim 10,wherein the operations comprise configuring the data provisioning agentto detect changes to a database of the source computing system and topush a respective updated data set to the digital decoupling system inresponse to each detected change.
 16. The computer-implemented system ofclaim 10, wherein the operations comprise: determining, by the adaptermodule and based on the data of the updated data set, a type of theevent; and including, in the event, data specifying the type of theevent.
 17. The computer-implemented system of claim 10, wherein thesource computing system comprises a SAP ECC platform and the destinationcomputing element comprises a SAP HANA platform.
 18. Thecomputer-implemented system of claim 17, wherein: sending the event toone or more destination computing elements comprises sending the eventto a cloud platform; the source computing system comprises a SAP ECCplatform and the destination computing element comprises a SAP HANAplatform; and the source tables and the target tables comprise SAP HANAdatabase tables.
 19. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storingone or more instructions executable by a computer system to performoperations comprising: receiving, by a digital decoupling system andfrom a data provisioning agent installed on a source computing system,one or more updated data sets that each include data that has beenupdated at the source computing system; for each updated data set:updating a source data entry of a source table of a database of thedigital decoupling system, to include the data of the updated data set;detecting, by a database trigger of the digital decoupling system, achange to the source data table in response to the update to the sourcedata entry; in response to detecting the change to the source table,adding, to a target table of the database, a target data entry thatincludes the data of the updated source data entry; obtaining, by anadapter module of the digital decoupling system and from the targettable, the data of the target data entry; generating, by the adaptermodule, an event that specifies at least a portion of the data of thetarget data entry; sending the event to one or more destinationcomputing elements different from the source computing system; and inresponse to generating and sending the event, removing the target dataentry from the target table.
 20. The non-transitory, computer-readablemedium of claim 19, wherein updating the source data entry comprises oneof (i) adding the source data entry to the source table, wherein thesource data entry includes the data of the updated data set or (ii)modifying the source data entry based on the data of the updated dataset.
 21. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 19,wherein: sending the event to one or more destination computing elementscomprises sending the event to a cloud platform; the source computingsystem comprises a SAP ECC platform and the destination computingelement comprises a SAP HANA platform; and the source tables and thetarget tables comprise SAP HANA database tables.
 22. The non-transitory,computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the database triggerinitiates the event in response to detecting the addition of the sourcedata entry to the source table.